8 August 2026
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF)
P-8A Poseidon crew has found six people overdue in a small
boat in Fijian waters, leading to their successful rescue in
rough seas.
The Poseidon crew had been about to carry
out a fishery patrol in Fiji when the Joint Rescue
Coordination Centre Fiji requested help in the search for
the boat.
The six people had left Namuka Island for
Fulaga in the Lau Group on Thursday morning but failed to
reach their destination.
The initial search was
carried out by local vessels before a chartered local
aircraft and the RNZAF joined efforts on Friday.
The
Poseidon crew carried out a radar and visual search of the
area before, in fading light, they found the vessel at
5.30pm, 14.6 nautical miles southwest of
Vanuavatu.
They radioed the Republic of Fiji Navy Ship
Savenaca, which was operating near the search area and
sailed to rescue the group in testing weather conditions
shortly after 8pm.
The six people were taken to Suva
for medical assessment before being reunited with their
families and loved ones.
No. 5 Squadron tactical
coordinator and crew member, Flight Lieutenant Holly Graham,
said they were preparing for the planned fishery patrol when
they were re-tasked.
“We quickly re-planned and
headed out to the search area. The weather was challenging
with strong winds and 3.5m swells creating salt spray which
decreased visibility,” she said.
They spotted the
boat after six hours of searching, and as the sea was rough
they remained overhead until the Fijian Navy
arrived.
“It was a long day, but the crew was
delighted with the outcome. Our thanks to all who assisted,
particularly the crew of RFNS Savenaca. Our best wishes to
the survivors and their
families.”
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